ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: January 19, 1998

Author/Local: P. Teichroeb/7545

CC File No. 2615-5

TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission

FROM: Chief License Inspector

SUBJECT: 800 Granville Street - O'Kool's Irish Pub Inc.

Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorses the request from O'Kool's Irish Pub Inc. (formerly Theatre Row Management Company) for 65 indoor and 20 patio Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub seats at 800 Granville Street, having considered that the majority of area residents are in favour of this application. The Commission also considered the proximity of other social facility and public buildings, traffic impacts and the availability of parking, possible noise impacts on existing and future residential, the appearance and overall design of the building and compliance with the plan for the area which has been designated as the Theatre Row Entertainment District;

FURTHER THAT this proposal is subject to the following conditions:

i. no off-site sales be permitted

ii. exotic dancing or other similar forms of entertainment not be permitted

iii. the patio is subject to 11:00 p.m. closing

iv.the development permit for this use be restricted to a renewable four-month time limit

v.before the issuance of the business license the applicant sign a "good neighbour" agreement with the City.

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

That the proposal by O'Kool's Irish Pub Inc. (formerly Theatre Row Management Company) for 65 indoor and 20 patio seats in the Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub at 800 Granville Street be supported in principle, subject to the conditions outlined in this report, including neighbourhood notification, a time-limited development permit and documentation to the satisfaction of the Chief License Inspector that the site has been secured for this purpose.

That there is no off-site sales or exotic dancing and that the patio be required to close at 11:00 p.m.

That before issuance of the business license, the applicant will sign a "good neighbour" agreement with the City.

PURPOSE

O'Kool's Irish Pub Inc. (formerly Theatre Row Management Company) is requesting a Council resolution endorsing its request for a Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub at 800 Granville Street.

BACKGROUND

In June 1997, Council established the Theatre Row Entertainment District with the possibility of the addition of up to 1,000 licensed seats in the 700, 800 and 900 Blocks of Granville Street. The seats would be added through the creation of new Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pubs and Class 'C' Cabarets or the relocation of existing licensed seats from the nearby residential area of Granville South.

In December 1997, Council supported in principle a proposal by O'Kool's Irish Pub Inc. (formerly Theatre Row Management Company) for a Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub with 65 indoor and 20 patio seats at 800 Granville Street, subject to neighbourhood notification, a time-limited development permit, no exotic entertainment, no off-site sales, the signing of a "good neighbour" agreement with the City and documentation to the satisfaction of the Chief License Inspector that the site had been secured. The documentation and a revised floor plan, which shows more prominence to the Granville Street entrance, have now been received by the Chief License Inspector.

Within the survey area are the New Continental Hotel, Brookland Court, Helmcken House and the Gresham Hotel, all subsidized residential facilities.

The closest Provincial Government liquor store is located at 1120 Alberni Street. Also within the survey area are three Class 'A' Pubs (699 seats), seven Class 'A' Lounges (647 seats), nine Class 'C' Cabarets (471 seats) and approximately 27 licensed restaurants.

DISCUSSION

This application is for an 85-seat (65 plus 20 seats on the patio) neighbourhood pub at the front of this existing building. Full food service is proposed and there will be limited live entertainment on an occasional basis. The proposed hours of operation are 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight Sunday to Thursday and 12:00 noon to 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The subject premises are located on the Granville Mall which is in the DD Downtown District (Appendix A). The adjacent portion of the Granville Mall is developed with entertainment uses, such as theatres, arcades, retail stores and restaurants. The closest residential accommodation is the Gresham Hotel, located approximately one block south of the subject premises. The area to the south and east is undergoing redevelopment to high density residential uses.

CONCLUSION

This application meets the criteria established for the Theatre Row Entertainment District on Granville Street and was supported in principle by Council. The applicant has supplied documentation to confirm that the lease is now in place and staff is therefore recommending endorsement of this application.

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(c) 1997 City of Vancouver